record time, Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson was stripped of his gold medal after testing positive for anabolic steroids.

More than six years later, in December, 1994, seven young Bermudian soccer players, returning from a tournament in Jamaica, were detained at Miami International Airport and charged with importation of narcotics.

Different age, different drugs, different circumstances.

But as disparate as the incidents were, the repercussions were loud, swift and far-reaching.

The Johnson affair spawned the Dubin Inquiry into drugs and sports, which begat the formation in 1991 of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

The Miami Seven Affair spawned the Sharpe Commission, which sparked a Government initiative calling for drug-free sports.

Today Canada is a recognised world leader in the abolition of drugs from sports.

Last night, Bermuda attempted to take a giant step towards a similar goal -- after turning to the Canadians for help.

"Sometimes it takes a high-profile incident (such as the Miami Seven affair) to draw attention to the policies, to demonstrate that a problem exists and that action needs to be taken,'' says Paul Melia, director of education for the CCES.

Melia is in Bermuda for the Ministry of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation's 1997 Sports Conference ending today but his involvement runs much deeper.

The CCES -- responsible for all aspects of Canadian drug in sports issues -- was approached last winter by Bermuda Government officials to act as a consultant in developing an approach to what Ministry director Anthony Roberts calls the "insidious and pervasive'' use of drugs in sports.

Melia was here in November to help draw out the mission statement from the National Drug Free Sport Conference and last night was witness to its presentation to national sports bodies -- in the process outlining his recommendations for the future.

This means a good hard look at the way Bermuda sports currently does business, a comprehensive approach bringing together: The establishment of a central organisation to carry out administration of the Drug Free Sports Campaign; Widespread random screening for both illicit and performance-enchancing drugs; Stricter control of alcohol consumption at sporting events; An education campaign aimed at players, parents, coaches and officials; Involvement of national sports bodies and the media in order to build public and athletic confidence in the drug free sport programme.

What it boils down to, says Melia, is "a different set of values.'' "In Canada, as here, sport should be seen as a privelege, not a right ...

It's supposed to be a fun place, a safe place.'' And the presence of drugs, he said, takes away all that.

"We want to ensure that the sport experience for young athletes is a positive one,'' said Melia.

Melia said Bermuda had already taken the largest step towards this ideal by supporting Government iniatives.

"The entire sports community recognise they have problem ... and the consensus is that the problem is serious,'' he said.

Roberts agrees and notes how last night was the continuation of a daunting project that has brought together all national sports bodies and organisations towards a common goal.

Melia acknowledges that the Canadian problem was drugs used largely to improve athletic standards; in Bermuda they are of the illegal variety.

It doesn't matter, he argues: "Both have a negative impact (on sports and society).'' But Melia also knows that addressing Bermuda's problem is made difficult by the fact the use of marijuana is "socially acceptable.'' As in Canada, however, he is factoring in improved education, the support of athletes, and the setting up of "established norms,'' starting when young athletes first come into sports.

What happens next? An April workshop will deal with the specifics. Then it's up to Bermuda, said Melia, to answer two questions: "What kind of sport system do they want and what kind of values do they want.'' DRUGS DGS